Chapter 156: A Strange Battle

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

The monk Fa He had lost. The All-Seeing Buddha Sect lost in the first round of the Battle of Pagodas.

However, that did not mean that the All-Seeing Buddha Sect was thoroughly defeated. They were merely behind and in a disadvantageous position.

There was still a chance to turn the tables around.

The sacred maiden of the demon tribe, Bai Ling, was extremely powerful. Her extraordinary talent and natural ability, in addition to her astonishing power, made her nearly impossible to defeat.

Fa He was not weak. His martial arts mastery was of the fourth-class, ninth-grade realm. His vital energy was immense. To Fang Lang, even if An Fan went up against Fa He, he would likely end up with a painful beating.

However, Fa He still lost.

It proved that Bai Ling’s power was superior. Her white demon sword was exquisitely stylish. To Master Ci Yue, only the young Xuanyuan Taihua might have been able to beat her.

Fa Jiao began preparing to head into battle when Fa He lost. However, Fang Lang’s breezy words disrupted Master Ci Yue and Fa Jiao’s decision.

Fa Jiao looked at Fang Lang in dumbfounded shock.

When he heard Fang Lang call him the trump card of the Battle of Pagodas, Fa Jiao could not hide the shock on his features.

W-why was he the trump card!?

The highly esteemed and respected Master Ci Yue wore an extremely solemn expression. Fa He’s loss was not a good start to the Battle of Pagodas for the All-Seeing Buddha Sect.

To the All-Seeing Buddha Sect, Fa He’s loss meant that they were forced into a dead end.

However, Master Ci Yue was astounded by Fang Lang personally asking to be sent out to battle.

After all, Fang Lang’s cultivation was not very strong, even though Master Ci Yue acknowledged that Fang Lang was naturally gifted. However, in terms of absolute cultivation, Fang Lang was definitely much weaker than Bai Ling, the sacred maiden of the demon tribe.

Fang Lang’s words about heading into battle so that Fa Jiao could be the trump card made some sense. Hence, Master Ci Yue did not refuse Fang Lang after some thought. After all, Fa Jiao did look a little ill-at-ease.

“Why am I the trump card? I’m not fit to do that. Benefactor Fang, allow me to go. You’re the true hope of the All-Seeing Buddha Sect.”

After all, Fa Jiao saw Fang Lang in Linjiang City. He remembered the scene of him single-handedly killing the Main Path Guild disciples. That battle dealt a huge blow to him. He felt that if he were to swap places with Fang Lang, he might not be able to carry out the slaughter.

Fang Lang smiled. He looked at Fa Jiao with an expression of complete confidence. “I believe in you. You’re truly the trump card of this year’s Battle of Pagodas. I need you to cover me!” said Fang Lang.

Fa Jiao felt an inexplicably heavy sense of burden and responsibility because of Fang Lang’s words.

Fang Lang smiled. As his white robes billowed around him, he took a step out. The blade energy in his lungs instantly surged out and gushed among the ocean waves.

The waves were sliced apart. Fang Lang landed on the ocean surface and started walking ahead. Naturally, Fang Lang had his reasons for choosing to head into battle first.

When he entered the field, the System prompt rang out in his mind.

‘Congratulations, host. Partner-binding successful. Binding partner: Bai Ling.’

‘Congratulations, host. Partner-binding successful. Binding partner: Chi Yun.’

The two prompts rang out simultaneously.

There was a faint light shining in the depths of Fang Lang’s eyes. To successfully bind two geniuses was extremely good news for Fang Lang. After all, he was sure to gain numerous advantages from binding to the sacred maiden and the archdevil.

Besides that, even though there was a new active function, the original passive function still remained.

As long as he completed a cultivation-related activity with his binding partner, he would be able to obtain prizes.

The ocean waves continued to surge.

After her battle with monk Fa He, Bai Ling’s aura underwent some changes. After all, Fa He was not a weak opponent. Bai Ling held her sword beside her. There was a stir of emotions in her pretty eyes.

She stared at Fang Lang. She heard Master Ci Yue introducing Fang Lang. She did not pay heed to Fang Lang’s cultivation. He had just entered the fourth-class realm and was not worth a mention in her eyes.

The thing that truly caught Bai Ling’s attention was his identity as Xuanyuan Taihua’s disciple. That status was no lesser compared to her status as a sacred maiden of the demon tribe.

However, when she saw Fang Lang step out in battle, Bai Ling was dumbfounded. She thought that Fang Lang would be the trump card. Yet… he was the second one to take part in the battle.

Bai Ling’s gaze moved to land on monk Fa Jiao standing beside Master Ci Yue with his palms pressed together. Was that monk Fa Jiao more outstanding than Xuanyuan Taihua’s disciple?

Bai Ling returned her gaze. She felt more solemn. She understood the importance of the Battle of Pagodas. If it were not crucial, the demon world would not have sent her to take part in the battle.

She would not let her guard down and would continue to give it her all. When she saw Fang Lang walk over on the waves, Bai Ling sighed and raised the white sword in her hand.

Fang Lang wore a warm smile on his face. He maintained an elegant and friendly smile even though the Battle of Pagodas was of the utmost importance.

Bai Ling was a little dazed as she faced Fang Lang. In her daze, she felt as though Fang Lang was not her enemy. Instead, he seemed to be a long-lost good friend of hers.

Apart from that, the battle between them was not a simple fight. Perhaps it should be called a cultivation exchange?

What was that mysterious and d*mning feeling?

Bai Ling shoved the strange feeling aside and waved the sword in her hand. She raised her delicate face slightly.

“Bai Ling of the demon world,” said Bai Ling to Fang Lang across the vast ocean.

Fang Lang, in his snow-white robes, smiled brightly and slowly retrieved the Obsidian Sword from the scabbard on his back. He held the sword at an angle, imitating Bai Ling’s actions and said with a smile, “Fang Lang of the Tang Dynasty. It’s an honor to meet you.”

As soon as he spoke, Bai Ling was dumbfounded once again. It was a moment before she acted, holding nothing back.

She instantly closed the distance between them as she ran across the ocean, stepping over the relentless waves.

The demon tribe had extremely strong physical bodies. Her physical body was her advantage. While as Xuanyuan Taihua’s disciple, Fang Lang’s specialty was undoubtedly his sword mastery.

Bai Ling was also proficient in sword mastery. However, she may not be a match for Fang Lang in terms of sword mastery. Hence, she chose to overpower Fang Lang using her superior physical strength!

Fang Lang gripped the Obsidian Sword and slowly lifted it, swinging it in a large circle in the air.

Instantly, Fang Lang’s eyes deepened. It was calm like still water in an ancient well.

‘System, share cultivation.’

As soon as he finished speaking, Fang Lang’s early-stage fourth-class aura began to climb non-stop.

This was the active function of the System after it finished upgrading. He could share 80% of his binding partner’s cultivation, ability, etc! He could also stack his power!

Once he attacked, Fang Lang would not hold himself back at all!

The battle was also a form of cultivation exchange. In fact, it was a profound cultivation exchange!

“Come!” shouted Fang Lang.

His cultivation level began to stack up. Jiang Lingling, Liu Bubai, Ni Wen, Wei Sheng, Wen Ting… Bai Ling and Chi Yun!

The cultivation level of all his binding partners stacked together, causing Fang Lang’s aura to climb rapidly. Behind him, it seemed as though multiple phantoms were popping up!

As soon as he swung his Obsidian Sword, blade energy burst forth from under the surface of the ocean like sea serpents. The blade energy seemed to roar like a white dragon and dash into the clouds before shooting towards Bai Ling!

Fang Lang’s sword attack was astonishingly powerful!

Bai Ling did not dare to let her concentration slip.

He was strong!

Very strong!

In fact, he could rival her!

Bai Ling’s complexion paled. She was filled with fear.

She no longer concealed the white feather sword in her hand. Her movements were extremely graceful and filled with beauty. She glided over the ocean as though it were flat ground.

As soon as she swung her sword, it tore through the clouds and waves, sounding like the roar of a dragon or a tiger!

The countless rolling ocean waves were slashed apart!

Sword light filled the air and seemed to contain an extremely sharp cutting edge. In the blink of an eye, an extremely long sword mark stretched across the ocean like a white snake. It remained for ages without fading, looking like it would endure forever!

Sword intent burst out of the sword attack. Behind the sword’s light, a large hawk seemed to spread its wings and soar into the skies, looking like it was about to stir up a whirlwind!

In a flash, Bai Ling had drawn close to Fang Lang.

She waved her fist and swung her sword!

It was only two moves. However, each of these moves were killing moves!

Even though Fang Lang possessed the power of shared cultivation, he could still feel goosebumps erupting all over his body. The powerful blade energy seemed to cause his hairs to stand on its ends.

On top of a giant turtle, the archdevil placed his hands behind his back as his jet-black hair fluttered around him. His eyes were filled with admiration.

“Bai Ling is truly a genius that appears once every couple of centuries! Her fighting skills and sword skills have reached the peak of the fourth-class realm! There are very few geniuses in the demon world who can compete with her.”

The praise of the archdevil caused the demon tribe warrior to burst out in laughter. Since the sacred maiden was participating in the Battle of Pagodas this year, victory would definitely be in the bag.

So what if he was Xuanyuan Taihua’s disciple!? Pride swelled in the heart of the demon tribe warrior!

Back at the All-Seeing Buddha Sect side, Master Ci Yue pressed his palms together, looking worried.

Despite just going through a fight with Fa He, the strength of the sacred maiden did not falter. On the contrary, her strength seemed to climb and become stronger!

Would Fang Lang be able to win?

“Sigh…” Master Ci Yue let out a long sigh.

However, the sacred maiden Bai Ling was the only person who truly knew the pressures of the match. Even though her power increased steadily, the pressure that Fang Lang placed on her seemed to become more terrifying. In fact, she vaguely felt as though Fang Lang had already seen through all her moves!

The two of them clashed over the vast ocean.

Fang Lang did not try to hide nor avoid her attacks. With all the cultivation of his binding partners stacked up, Fang Lang’s power had entered the fifth-class realm.

Fang Lang also stacked Bai Ling’s cultivation and activated the Enlightenment Card, Enchantment Card and many more…

With regards to Bai Ling’s fighting style and tactics, Fang Lang knew them like the back of his hand.

As their fists met, it seemed as though their palms were made out of gold as a loud sound of metals clashing rang out.

When their swords clashed, sword flux surged as blade rays flashed like dragons in the sky. The two of them duked it out over the vast ocean.

As the battle went on, the odd feeling within Bai Ling’s heart grew. She felt as though she was fighting the mirror image of herself. Each move and attack felt strangely familiar to her.

His cultivation… was a little strange! He was supposed to be an early stage fourth-class cultivation. Yet, why did Fang Lang give her the feeling that he was more powerful than some of the fifth-class cultivators?

Fang Lang and Bai Ling were engaged in an intense battle. They battled non-stop but remained evenly matched. The scene caused everyone to exchange looks of surprise.

Master Ci Yue’s eyes shone with delight while the archdevil of the devil tribe looked extremely astonished.

Fang Lang was thoroughly enjoying the battle at that moment as he stepped out on the waves. With the Enlightenment Card, he continuously familiarized himself with the sacred maiden’s fighting style and techniques.

The upgraded active function of the System was extremely terrifying. He could stack the power of his binding partners and use it as his own. It was no big deal if he could only do so with just one or two partners. However, it would truly reach a frightening level if he had too many binding partners to count!

For example, the sacred maiden and the archdevil’s cultivation was stacked along with Wen Ting’s cultivation. The three of them were geniuses that were on par with each other. With their cultivation stacked into one, Fang Lang felt extremely at ease!

Boom!

Countless blade rays intertwined as the white feather sword flew out.

Bai Ling’s features were contorted into an extremely ugly expression. Her body flew out as she ran across the ocean. She frowned deeply, wearing an expression of utmost hate.

She felt like Fang Lang was unfathomable, like a bottomless pit. He could see through all her moves. She had no way to strike and was completely unable to find an opening.

How could she win like that?

The sacred maiden Bai Ling was deep in thought. She needed to find a way to defeat Fang Lang.

On the other hand, Fang Lang maintained his gentle and elegant smile throughout the turbulent and ever-changing battle with Bai Ling. There was a sense of anticipation in the depths of his eyes.

‘Ding! Congratulations. By engaging in the Battle of Pagodas with your binding partner, Bai Ling, you have bonded with your binding partner over cultivation. You have obtained the prize—Realm Breakthrough Card.’

‘Huh? An inventory card!?’

When he heard the name of the card, it sounded a little similar to the Grade-Rush Card. However, after he read the introduction of the Realm Breakthrough Card, Fang Lang realized that there was a difference between them.

In fact, the difference was huge. The Realm Breakthrough Card could be called the superior version of the Grade-Rush Card. After all, the Grade-Rush Card was used to help one advance into the next grade.

As for the Realm Breakthrough Card, it was guaranteed to help raise one’s cultivation by a full grade.

Fang Lang smiled and used the Realm Breakthrough Card without any hesitation.

After he used the card, Fang Lang sensed a heat flux surging within his entire body. As the heat flux moved within him, his fourth-class, second-grade cultivation easily advanced to the fourth-class, third-grade realm!

The effortless cultivation breakthrough filled Fang Lang with a mysterious sense of ease.

“Hahaha! You’re truly amazing, sacred maiden. You’re completely deserving of the title of the genius with a divine core. This match is great fun!”

Fang Lang laughed.

In the distance, the tense features of Bai Ling seemed to relax slightly.

“You’re pretty impressive as well. It’s no wonder that you’re Xuanyuan Taihua’s disciple, the woman who managed to subdue nine demon kings single-handedly. Let’s go again!” said the sacred maiden.

After that, she raised her sword and continued to race into the skies. Her blade ray was like a dragon, stirring waves in the ocean.

Fang Lang’s eyes sparkled. “That’s a great move!”

Since Fang Lang stacked his cultivation, the stacked cultivation meant that he would expend spiritual sense and energy.

However, at that moment, Fang Lang would not be a match for the sacred maiden without stacking his cultivation. Of course, that was not Fang Lang’s only motive.

Fang Lang swung his Obsidian Sword and as he fought, he said, “Miss Bai, we wouldn’t have met if it weren’t for this fight. I’m a little stuck on some matters relating to sword mastery. I hope that you’ll be able to teach me a thing or two.”

Fang Lang asked his question as he parried each of Bai Ling’s sword attacks.

Bai Ling was stupefied. She held her sword. He did not seem to be paying attention to the fight. Could it even be considered a fight? Could he be a little more serious since it was the Battle of Pagodas!?

However, the sacred maiden felt like she had to respond when faced with the earnest look in Fang Lang’s eyes. Hence, she gave his question some thought then answered it.

Bai Ling felt as though she was at a disadvantage. Since she answered Fang Lang’s question, she decided to ask one in return.

Hence, she asked him about a problem that she had been facing in her sword technique, hoping that Fang Lang would give her an answer.

Fang Lang was delighted at the frankness of the maiden. Through the exchange, Fang Lang obtained two more Realm Breakthrough Cards. He used them immediately and his cultivation was now in the fourth-class, fifth-grade realm!

The All-Seeing Buddha Sect warriors and the demon realm warriors were speechless as they watched the battle. How did the battle turn into a cultivation exchange!?

Based on their stance, it looked like they were becoming more engrossed in their conversation.

The confrontation on the vast ocean quickly entered its finale. Bai Ling seemed to realize that her stance was not ideal. Hence, she pursed her lips and stopped answering Fang Lang’s questions. She focused on the fight!

Fang Lang sighed. When he saw that he could not continue obtaining prizes, he did not waste his strength and energy in play-fighting.

“Sword Nurturing Spell!”

The look in Fang Lang’s eyes suddenly changed. After he stacked Wen Ting’s cultivation, he immediately unleashed the Sword Nurturing Spell!

Wen Ting’s cool style could be faintly seen. Ten years spent nurturing a single sword!

Bai Ling could sense the feeling of impending doom coming for her!

The ocean surface seemed to be sliced by a single slash of a sword.

Bai Ling gripped her white feather sword as her body was sent flying more than a hundred feet backward. She was battered out of her senses.

In the end, she dropped her sword. She could barely hide the despair in her eyes.

She lost.

At that exact moment that Bai Ling lost mysteriously, the demon world warrior on the back of the giant turtle turned extremely grim.

The eyes of the archdevil were extremely solemn. He stared fixedly at Fang Lang, who laughed and chatted away after defeating Bai Ling.

That punk… was a little strange!

By coincidence, Fang Lang leaned against his sword and turned to look at the archdevil. Their gaze met across the sea. Fang Lang smiled brightly.

He wondered if the archdevil of the devil tribe would be able to hold out for longer.